Ferdinand Moershell, junior member of the general mercantile firm of Moershell Brothers, of Manning, and of Walnut, Pottawattamie County, was born in Erie County, New York, the date of his birth being August 4, 1845. His parents, Conrad and Catharine Moershell, were of German birth, coming to America after their marriage. They are now living at Homestead, Iowa, where they located in 1861. Ferdinand is the youngest of their three children. The eldest child, Henrietta, is the wife of Philip Gefaller, of Homestead, Iowa, and William F. is the senior member of the firm of Moershell Brothers. The family are all members of the Amana Society. Ferdinand Moershell, whose name heads this sketch, was in the employ of Field, Leiter & Co., wholesale merchants, of Chicago, Illinois, as salesman, during 1872-73 and 1874, and later was engaged in business at Indianapolis, Indiana, for two years. October 25, 1876, he was married at Indianapolis to Miss Annie Beard, a daughter of Solomon Beard, of that city. She was born at Richmond, Indiana, but reared principally at Indianapolis. They are the parents of two children — Robert Arthur and Floyd. In 1876 Mr. Moershell engaged in the general mercantile trade at Walnut, Iowa, and in 1878 he became associated with his brother, William F., thus forming the present firm of Moershell Brothers, the business at Walnut being still conducted under the management of his brother, where they carry stock amounting to about $10,000. Their business at Manning was established in 1882, and has been a very successful venture. The firm occupy a fine brick business house, and carry a stock of about $8,000, including almost everything found in a well-kept general store, the business at this point being under the supervision of Ferdinand Moershell, who is deservedly popular as a merchant and citizen. Mr. Moershell was one of the charter members of Manning Lodge, No. 122, I.O.O.F., and is its present secretary.

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